Blue Blooded: Jessica McClain Book 6

by Amanda Carlson

  “I love you too. I’ll be right here.”

  The church was dark, save a few low-burning candles near the altar. I made my way slowly up the main aisle. When I was halfway to the front, Enid strode out onto the platform, wearing the same dress.

  “I said to come alone, yet you bring an army,” she stated, her voice clear and succinct, but not angry. I took that as a good sign.

  “You said I couldn’t come in here accompanied by anyone,” I answered. “But you didn’t say anything about out there.”

  “Do you think your show of force threatens me?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “Not really. Threatening you wasn’t the plan. You could call what’s outside a show of love and support, as much as anything else. All those people out there care about this outcome.”

  “Indeed,” she said. “Please, have a seat.” She gestured to the pew on my right.

  I obliged, sending a quick thought to Rourke. Everything is fine so far. As I sat, I cupped my belly with my right hand. I had a feeling that I was going to do that a lot more often from now on.

  “I’m going to dispense with any niceties,” she started, “and get right down to the details. You will agree to release my sister, the one who grows inside of you now, on my terms and my terms alone?”

  “No,” I said, surprising myself. Enid’s expression began to change quickly. I held up my hand. “Wait, before you get bent out of shape, let me explain.” I leaned forward. “You’ve seen her, haven’t you? You’ve seen my little Annie being born, happy, laughing, growing up with her brother, and her best friend, Maggie. Look me in the eye and tell me you haven’t seen her.”

  “I’ve seen her.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “Of course I do! That’s the only reason I’m allowing you to sit here.”

  “If you’ve seen her—really seen her—can you see that she will be shaped by our unconditional love? As much as she will be your sister, she will also be a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter. She will have shifter genes and questions about her life that will need answering. For that reason, and that reason alone, I cannot let you have carte blanche over when you take her from us. We have an open dialogue about it now and agree on a time frame, or there’s no deal.”

  “You would risk your life, and the lives of your unborn children, because you don’t want me to have carte blanche?” Enid snarled.

  I stood. “No, I won’t risk my children’s lives for anything. That’s why I’m doing this. I would never risk Annie’s happiness and well-being, even for you. It’s clear you’re allowing fear and anger to dictate your actions. It’s a reaction from missing your sister all of these years. It’s understandable. But I will not allow my daughter’s entire life to be decided in this moment, under these circumstances. There are so many things that will factor into her upbringing. When she’s ready to leave”—I met Enid’s hard stare—“I vow to let her go. Not a second before.”

  Enid narrowed her eyes. “She is my sister first, before she is your daughter.”

  “No, she’s both.” My voice was steely. “And above all, she’s herself first and will be entitled to make her own choices. The healthiest way to do this, and ensure your sister’s happiness, is for both of us to be involved in her life. As she asks questions, we can both be there to answer them. So, when she’s finally ready, we’ll all know.”

  “I do not make my choices out of anger,” she spat. “I make them out of love.”

  “Prove it,” I challenged. “Do what’s best for Annie, not what’s best for you. In the visions you saw of the future, did you see her alone as a child, without her family around her? Or did you see her with us? Don’t lie.”

  When Enid didn’t readily respond, Pandora emerged from the shadows, her simple dress flowing out behind her. “Answer her, dear sister,” Pandora coaxed. “Tell her what we saw.”

  “The child stayed with you until early adulthood,” Enid said. She whipped her head toward her sister. “But that does not mean that picture cannot change. We can change it, if we want to.”

  “Why would we?” Pandora countered. “We’ll be in Bianca’s life, just as Jessica said. We will be there to answer her questions and lead her down the correct path. After all, what is twenty years when you talk about how many years we’ve been without her? Would you rob Bianca of her new life?”

  “Of course not,” Enid shot back. “But her life is with us, nurtured by us, and it will be just as rich as the one she has elsewhere.”

  “I think not.” Pandora strolled across the floor. “When I was born into my new family as Juanita, I experienced things I never thought possible. I saw and understood the world in a way that was remarkably different than I had ever before. Having lived that life has positively affected me and will influence the choices I make moving forward. I would not rob my sister of such a chance. In fact”—she inclined her head at her sister—“it might benefit you to go through the same transformation. It would broaden your mind in a way you’ve never thought possible. The world has changed drastically since we were young girls. It’s incomprehensively different—nothing you could teach without living it firsthand.”

  Enid gaped at her sister. “You talk nonsense. I have seen no such thing in my future!”

  “Ah, but I have.” Pandora smiled. “It was just shown to me today.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Enid sputtered. “I do not choose to be reborn.”

  “Sometimes these things are left up to Fate.” Pandora met my gaze. “A certain reaper vampire and a certain goddess kindled their bonds today. It won’t be long now until they consummate them. If all goes as I’ve seen, they will have a daughter.” Pandora turned to face her sister. “And she will be you.”

  Enid looked as stunned as I felt.

  I reached my hand out to steady myself on the pew. I was flabbergasted at Pandora’s words. Ray and Selene? Their baby would be Enid?

  Right at that moment, Rourke cut in, What’s going on? Everything is too quiet in there. His voice was full of worry.

  It’s going…fine, I assured him. The strangest thing just happened, but it’s not bad. At least I don’t think it’s bad.

  Jessica, you’re not making any sense, he shot back. Strange doesn’t equal good. What’s going on?

  I watched as Pandora paced slowly to her sister. You’re going to have to trust me, I told him. I can’t talk now, but I’ll let you know as soon as I can.

  “What you’re saying is beyond ridiculous,” Enid snipped. “My life is fine the way it is. This is not about me.” She glared at me. “It’s about getting our sister back.”

  “I believe this is out of your control, dear sister,” Pandora answered. “Fate has shown me the way, and I believe it to be right. Just as I believed keeping Jessica alive was the only option.”

  Enid took two steps away from her sister, panic beginning to show on her face. “What are you talking about? My place is here…Fate needs me. Who would be at the helm while I was gone? I have kept things running by myself for all these years. There is no other to do it.”

  “I will,” Pandora answered. “Have no fear. This couldn’t have worked out better if we tried. You and Bianca will be born around the same time and will thoroughly enjoy your lives together. And then, when you are both grown and ready, we will all reunite, coming together stronger, rejuvenated, and refreshed from where we had been stalled before.”

  “I don’t understand any of this.” Enid shook her head.

  Pandora placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “You need not understand, for all the answers will be revealed to you in due time. Bianca’s death has changed you. Pain and anger have steered you off of your rightful path. But Fate has found a way to fix it. All will be well. You just need to trust in me.”

  Enid tried to back away.

  My hands slid up to my shoulders as I hugged myself. Pandora’s intensity and strength couldn’t be denied.

  “I refuse you,” Enid stated. “I will not come back to thi
s world as a child! Forced to start over from scratch. I will not do it!”

  “But you will,” Pandora said. She smiled at Enid, her voice gentle. “The best way for you to enter your new life is filled with happiness. Accept what Fate has decreed, so you might shed your burdens and start anew.”

  “I don’t know how to do what you ask—”

  I didn’t see the dagger until it flashed in Pandora’s hand. Her strike was swift as she found true aim. Once the iron had plunged into Enid’s heart, the Hag fell to the ground, Pandora bracing her close as she laid her down.

  I rushed onto the altar, trying not to panic. I knelt on the other side of Enid and grabbed her hand. Enid turned to me, her face stricken. She was still breathing, but the front of her dress was red with blood.

  “I believe Pandora,” I told her, my voice rushing. “You will be loved and cherished. You will be a welcome part of our family. The lessons that this life can teach you can make you stronger. You will be happy. I promise.”

  She looked to her sister. “How…could you?” She coughed. Blood trickled from the side of her mouth.

  “I can, because I love you,” Pandora replied as a single tear trickled down her cheek. “Someday you will understand, and I believe you will thank me. I am content to wait until that day.”

  The door banged opened behind us, and footsteps rushed in.

  Leo knelt beside Enid, taking my place as I stood. “There could be no other way,” he told her, his voice a soothing melody. “Pandora was brave enough to make that decision, and because of it, your life will be whole again. Be well. We will meet again.”

  Then Rourke was beside me, taking me in his arms, his lips pressed against my hair. “What the hell happened?”

  As we both stood there, Enid’s body slowly disappeared, evaporating into nothing.

  I tried to find the right words, but failed miserably. All I could manage was, “Ray’s going to be a father.”

  34

  Nothing that had happened over the last few hours had fully sunk in. The only solace was that Enid could no longer take my child away on a whim. That part was amazing and had filled me with incredible relief and joy.

  After Enid had disappeared, I’d talked to Pandora briefly. She’d assured me all would be well. She planned to stay in our lives and help guide us. She also said we’d know when the girls would be ready for their independence—they would tell us—and not to worry.

  Easier said than done.

  I knew my life would be full of a new kind of worry once the twins were born.

  We’d managed to make our way to the tallest point in Florence, which had taken some time. Once we arrived, we were surprised to see the place was jam-packed. It seemed that every supernatural far and wide had shown up to see the coronation.

  Jeb stood on a raised dais at the very top of the hill, holding his trusty book. On either side of him stood Leo and Romy, their wings discreetly glamoured away, their hands clasped behind their backs.

  Five ornate podiums were situated in front of them.

  As we women made our way to our places, Jeb bowed, instructing us where to stand. White robes, much like Jeb’s, hung next to the podiums. We donned them. My place was squarely in the middle, directly across from the warlock. Tally was on my right, Kayla next to her. There was a space for Eudoxia to my left and Naomi on the end.

  The Fae Queen had yet to arrive.

  Jeb cleared his throat. “We will begin shortly. I will read the vows, and you will acknowledge each verse with ‘I do.’” He glanced at each of us down the line. “Your vows, once taken, will be binding. Any questions?”

  “Are we allowed to find a replacement for Eudoxia if she doesn’t show?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

  Jeb wasn’t amused. “We must start at three a.m. on the dot. The Fae Queen has exactly seven minutes to arrive.”

  “What happens if she doesn’t get here in time—”

  I was cut off by a whooshing noise as Eudoxia landed exactly in her place. She turned to give me a look. “I keep my appointments, little wolf girl,” she said, using a nickname she’d given me long ago. There was no doubt Eudoxia was threatened by my presumed leadership position on this Coalition.

  “Glad to see you could make it,” I said, ignoring the jab. “It would’ve been a shame to have to dig somebody up to fill your spot.”

  “There is no other. There is only me,” she sniffed. I’d never asked Eudoxia where the remaining fae population lived. The rumor was they had dwindled to almost nothing and lived off plane somewhere.

  My family had fanned out behind Jeb and the angels, my father and Rourke front and center, pride beaming on their faces. The supernatural crowd behind them seemed sedate and curious. I didn’t sense any threats, but my wolf was on high alert. It was likely that Jeb had done something to contain the area so no mishaps would occur.

  Exactly three minutes later, Jeb’s voice boomed out into the night sky. “We have gathered here for a momentous occasion, one that we have not witnessed in a thousand years. Before you stands the new Coalition, five supernaturals to whom the power has chosen above all others. This is your High Court, those who will enforce our laws. You must answer to them for any wrongdoings, as they vow to protect those wronged.” He gestured at Kayla. “I give you the Negotiator.” Then he moved to Tally. “The Protector.” He lingered on me and said, “The Enforcer.” Then he motioned to Eudoxia. “The Peacemaker.”

  Wait, what?

  He ended with Naomi. “And the Tracker.”

  Eudoxia’s position was Peacemaker?

  Was Jeb serious?

  He couldn’t be.

  I glanced at the Fae Queen out of the corner of my eye. Her face was set, showing nothing.

  Jeb continued like nothing he’d just said was out of the ordinary. “Are you ready to take your vows?” he asked us.

  We all answered, “We are.”

  He walked forward a few paces, his white robes dragging behind him. He came to a stop in front of me, his finger landing at the top of the page of his book. It moved as he began to speak. “Do you solemnly swear to uphold the Supernatural Laws, created by your elders, for the good of both humans and supernaturals alike?”

  “I do,” we all chorused.

  “Do you vow to be judicious in your sentencing, staying within the laws and their succinct guidelines?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you vow to be overseers in this world, bringing peace and stability to all supernatural Sects and protecting them from danger?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you vow to stay honest and neutral, allowing each party their own counsel on matters brought before you, before you pass judgment?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you all agree to follow the lead of the Enforcer, deferring to her as the head of this Council?”

  Absolute silence.

  I glanced around.

  Tally appeared confused. She peered at me, replying, “Er…”

  Kayla looked pensive.

  Naomi bowed her head.

  Eudoxia was furious. She was about to say something scathing when I cut in. “Jeb, did you just add that in there?” I teased. “That doesn’t seem like something that would be written in the book.”

  He looked a little abashed. “I’ve change the wording slightly to represent the modern times, but the sentiment remains the same. The Coalition has always had one leader, and that position has been held by the Enforcer since the time of our creation. You represent the strength of this Council. With strength comes leadership.”

  “I’ve told you this before,” I said. “We are running this Coalition as a democracy. With five votes, we will always have a tiebreaker. I have to believe that our creators would understand that times have changed. The eras of dictatorships are over for the supernaturals. I do not want these women swearing me in as their leader chained to that unbreakable vow. That’s not how this is going to work.”

  “But…but…” he stammered. “Wi
thout this vow, I will not know to whom to report. The High Commander has always reported to the Enforcer.”

  “Why don’t we amend it to something like this: From this day forward, the Coalition will operate as a democracy, and Jebediah Amel will report to all members equally, depending on the issue at hand.” I smiled as I added, “That way, if you have a defense issue, you can report directly to Tally. If someone’s in need of being found, you report to Naomi. If there’s trouble brewing, you report to Eudoxia. If two parties are interested in solving their issues peacefully, you call Kayla. And when you have an errant supernatural in need of catching, you report to me.” I crossed my arms, hoping he wouldn’t challenge me. He didn’t say anything for a moment, so I continued with, “Honestly, Jeb, what I just outlined is a more efficient way to do business. If you bring each and every issue to me, who knows when I’ll be able to get to it?” Especially in my current condition. “We know you’re all about efficiency. This way works best for all of us.”

  Leo bent over and whispered something into the warlock’s ear. Jeb straightened. He rifled through some pages, leaning over to examine the book. His bushy eyebrows rose as he peered at me over the spine. He cleared his throat. “I…well…there seems to be something written here along those same lines. But I can assure you it was just added.”

  “Why don’t you go ahead and read it?” I encouraged.

  He cleared his throat. “Do you vow to operate this Coalition as equals, each of you having a single vote?”

  All responded with a resounding, “I do.”

  “Do you vow to keep your place on this Coalition until your death or the power seeks another?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you vow to share power with one another in the effort to do greater good?”

  “I do.”

  Jeb closed his book with a flourish. It made a deep booming sound, catching everyone’s attention. Then it popped out of existence. Jeb moved forward, joining hands with Leo and Romy, each bowing their head. “We bless this coronation with our combined power. Once we are done, the Coalition will be formalized. The vows spoken here today are sacred and binding. From this day forth, you will be known as the High Court.”